Episode 91: Sex and Love When You Have Anxiety, OCD, or Depression
May 10, 2022 by Justin Lehmiller
Relationships are hard for everyone, but they can be especially hard when you’re living with a mental health issue such as depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Psychological struggles can heighten the anxiety around sex, dating, and intimacy in ways that can make relationships feel inherently unsatisfying, even hopeless. But there is hope! Today, we’re going to explore how mental health issues can pose unique relationship challenges, but also consider practical tips and tools for overcoming them.
I am joined by Allison Raskin, a mental health advocate and New York Times bestselling author. Her latest book is titled: Over-Thinking About You: Navigating Romantic Relationships When You Have Anxiety, OCD, and/or Depression. Some of the topics that we explore include:
- How do you even bring up the subject of mental health with someone you’re dating or in a relationship with?
- How can you tell whether something you’re worried about is a valid relationship concern vs. a symptom of your disorder?
- How do you take care of both your mental health and your relationship at the same time when some mental health treatments carry sexual side effects?
- How can you learn to be “in the moment” during sex and block out distracting thoughts?
- How can you make online dating less anxiety-inducing?
- How can you handle breakup in healthier ways?
- How can you be a supportive partner to someone who has mental health struggles?
To learn more about Allison, visit allisonraskin.com. Also, be sure to check out her latest book Over-Thinking About You and follow her on Instagram @emotionalsupportlady
Thanks to Promescent (promescent.com) and the Modern Sex Therapy Institutes (modernsextherapyinstitutes.com) for being sponsors of this episode!
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Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Founder & Owner of Sex and PsychologyDr. Justin Lehmiller is a social psychologist and Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. He runs the Sex and Psychology blog and podcast and is author of the popular book Tell Me What You Want. Dr. Lehmiller is an award-winning educator, and a prolific researcher who has published more than 50 academic works.
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